Buffalo Bills News - December 7, 2003

1,000 points of light [5:16 AM]New York Daily News reports:
'Martin, who hasn't missed a game in five years despite severe ankle, knee and lower-back injuries, is enjoying one of his healthiest seasons.'

Jets need streak to be a non-stop [5:15 AM]New York Post reports:
'The Bills are playing better football right now, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where they are ranked No. 3 in the NFL in overall defense. They, of course, are coming off a 24-7 rout of the Giants last week.'

Fearless Chrebet vows to return 'good as ever' [5:14 AM]New York Post reports:
'"I know that I'm gonna get past this," Chrebet says. "That's not a question, it's a certainty . . . I'm just looking forward to coming back as good as ever. Mentally and physically healthy."'

Little Man, Big Heart [5:12 AM]New York Newsday reports:
'"I don't even think the Jets knew what they were getting when they drafted him," he said. "They thought they were getting a punt returner. I knew they were getting much more than that."'

Hey, Herm, Take a Timeout [5:11 AM]New York Newsday reports:
'Before he worries about his long-term future with the Jets, Herman Edwards ought to figure out the basics of clock management - take a knee! And while he's at it, figure out how to avoid slow starts. His yearly progression reads: 1-2, 1-4, 0-4.'

Jets vs. Bills [5:10 AM]New York Newsday reports:
'The only thing they have going for them is a defense that can stop the run, but even that probably won't stop coach Gregg Williams from getting fired.'

Jets feeding off hope [5:09 AM]Newark Star Ledger reports:
'The Bills, whose coach, Gregg Williams, will likely be fired at the end of the season, are coming off a 24-7 shellacking of the Giants last week.'

Moss' presence wears off [5:07 AM]White Plains Journal News reports:
'Moss caught only three passes against the Bills that afternoon, but one of them was for a touchdown. From that game until the streak was broken Monday, Moss caught a scoring pass in a team-record seven straight games.'

Give Edwards extension now [5:06 AM]White Plains Journal News reports:
'Herm Edwards is a keeper. The Jets should show him the money, give him the ball, and hope he can someday carry another Miracle of the Meadowlands to the biggest Sunday in sports.'

Bills-Jets scouting report [5:05 AM]White Plains Journal News reports:
'The Bills will try to make plays from behind a shaky offensive line that has yielded 36 sacks this season.'

Jets eye long shot run for playoffs [5:04 AM]New Haven Register reports:
'"In the situation that we’re in, Monday night is an good as we can do," said Martin, who is 131 yards away from his ninth straight season with 1,000 yards rushing. "It’s the best step toward our goal. There’s no doubt we have to win out. Every week we have to be focused we have to play with the poise and the same mentality that we played with Monday night. I think it will be hard for anybody to beat us."'

Gang Green's playoff push [5:03 AM]Middletown Times Herald Record reports:
'The record is 5-7, they're three games out of an AFC wild-card berth, but that hasn't stopped the buzz about the Jets making another late-season run to the postseason.'

Quick Facts for Buffalo [5:02 AM]NewYorkJets.com reports:
'Bills QB Alex Van Pelt was tutored by Jets Offensive Coordinator Paul Hackett at the University of Pittsburgh. While Hackett was head coach and offensive coordinator at Pitt, BUF Pro Bowl G Ruben Brown and Jets RB Curtis Martin and Van Pelt were all members of the same squad.'

December 6, 2003

Can't bear not to watch [1:11 PM]ESPN reports:
The Bills put up a total of 35 points in four games, against the Chiefs, Cowboys, Texans and Colts, losing those last three by a combined total of just nine points. That's the mark either of a team just a smidge away from being playoff-competitive, or a team so inefficient it can't get out of its own way.

Conway coming on strong [9:12 AM]Bergen Record reports:
'Conway's game against Tennessee was perhaps his best of the season, as he had five receptions for 78 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown from Chad Pennington on which Conway dragged both feet in the end zone.'

Jets odds and ends [9:11 AM]Bergen Record reports:
'Monday's win over Tennessee was one of the Jets' best defensive performances of the season, although coach Herman Edwards also was impressed with the 30-3 win over Buffalo in the teams' first meeting Oct. 12. "I think the game against Buffalo was pretty good, too," he said, "because we got four turnovers." Tennessee rushed for 84 yards and Buffalo had 53 two months ago, marking the only games this season in which the Jets have held their opponent under 100 yards on the ground.'

Bledsoe is a go, McGahee may play [8:54 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'McGahee has been practicing with the team since Nov. 5. He has been medically cleared to play since that time and has not encountered any swelling or physical problems with his reconstructed left knee. The first couple weeks of practice he was showing slight signs of favoring the knee, particularly at the end of runs. But he has looked strong the past two weeks of practice and has withstood hits from defenders without a problem.'

Bills are making Gray strides [5:17 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'With a month to play starting Sunday at home against the New York Jets, Gray’s defense ranks No. 3 in net yards, yards per play and points allowed. Players make it clear they’ll be disappointed if they don’t finish first. “ To me, the guys we brought in helped the guys we had here and we changed things around from last year,” said Gray, whose unit ranked 20th a year ago at this time. “ This year, the guys came in with enough enthusiasm to say, ‘ Hey, let’s see if we can go where we want to go.’ The hard part is that the record doesn’t show it, but the guys are playing hard and we still have goals to accomplish.”'

Cowart Knows the Jets Face a Cold Reception [5:10 AM]New York Times reports:
'"It will be tough playing up in Buffalo, in that weather," Cowart said: "I was there four years and never played in a snow game. But it was cold. We used to say that when teams from the South came up to play us and then went in at halftime, they wouldn't want to come back out."'

Evans helping Jets to tackle problems [5:09 AM]New York Daily News reports:
'It is no coincidence that the Jets defense has made marked improvements in stopping the run since Evans came back two games ago - even though he is still playing a reserve role. The loss of Evans, a passionate player, to a league-mandated substance-abuse suspension was compared by some defensive players to the offense losing a quarterback. With the Jets making a desperate run at the playoffs, Evans and the defense have to keep the pressure on the Bills at Buffalo tomorrow.'

Mawae: Bills' d-line can't be buffaloed [5:08 AM]New York Post reports:
'"Those guys are huge on their defensive line," Mawae said. "They can stop anyone when they have a good day. You can't move them."'

Conway Becomes Big Catch [5:07 AM]New York Newsday reports:
'Curtis Conway is starting to learn what Santana Moss - and Laveranues Coles before him - already know. If you get open, Chad Pennington will find a way to get you the ball.'

Cowart an insider no more [5:05 AM]Newark Star Ledger reports:
'"Whenever I get asked that question -- when people ask why I don't make good plays, or have the stats I had in Buffalo, my response is, 'I'm not in Buffalo. I'm in New York.'"'

Going steady [5:04 AM]White Plains Journal News reports:
'But now in an ironic twist, a Jets back on his way to Canton is about to step on Buffalo's field on a December day and run past Simpson. Barring an unforeseen circumstance, Curtis Martin will pass Simpson on the all-time list Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium since he needs just 7 yards to do it.'

Jets like the cold [5:03 AM]White Plains Journal News reports:
'"In November and December, you should be getting better as a football team," Edwards said after practice Friday at Hofstra University. "That's what you always look for as a coach. I think these guys understand that. When you win them in November and December, you become more confident as a team."'

Another late playoff push? [5:02 AM]The Sports Network reports:
'The Jets, who won seven of their final nine to secure the East title last season, would need to run the table and get some help to grab a wild card slot. New York has a bit more favorable schedule than the Bills with home tilts against New England and Pittsburgh coming up, followed by a season-ending contest in Miami.'